The Barrington High School girls basketball team outscored Westerly 52-31 in state basketball tournament opener on Wednesday night, March 2.

The victory propels Barrington into the “Elite 8” of the state tournament and into a match-up against Ponaganset on Saturday afternoon, March 5. The game will be played at Rhode Island College at 2 p.m.

Barrington, a fifth seed, split in regular season games against fourth-seeded Ponaganset. The Eagles defeated the Chieftains 74-60 in early January, and lost to them 64-53 on Feb. 10. 

Barrington coach Stephen Lenz said Ponaganset has a balanced scoring attack with multiple players who can knock down shots from the outside.

“They have the ability to score threes all over the floor,” he said. 

Coach Lenz said Ponaganset’s Julia Castelli is probably her team’s best player — Castelli averaged 19 points in the Chieftains’ two games against Barrington this year.

“It will be a challenge for us,” Coach Lenz said. He added that his team is focused on Saturday’s game and set a goal earlier this season to reach the state tournament Final Four.

The Eagles opened the tournament with a 21-point win over Westerly on Wednesday night. Barrington, playing at home, jumped out to an 11-4 lead against the Bulldogs. 

“Westerly was a tough team. They battled back,” Coach Lenz said. 

The Eagles led by four at halftime, but pushed ahead with a big 12-0 run in the second half. 

Coach Lenz said Barrington had a balanced scoring attack against Westerly, led by Caroline McConaghy, Mady Calhoun, Maddie Gill and others.